Today is the 150th anniversary of the first shots of the Civil War. First and foremost, I would invite all here to remember and consider the hundreds of thousands of Americans who died during the War. Whether Union or Confederate, these people were our forebears and paid the ultimate price for the future we now enjoy. Today, we live in a nation shaped by and purchased with the blood of those Americans who died in our great national struggle.

Removed from us by many generations, it is often easy to forget the incredible carnage we, as a nation, suffered as a result of the War or the transformational effect the War had on the US. Specifically, and in addition to the abolition of slavery (though not its effects), the North's victory ended the federalistic system as envisioned by the founders. After the War, the autonomy of States was significantly eroded and the Federal Govt. has consistently increased in power. [Culminating (I believe) in the Depression era application of the Commerce Clause that allowed the Federal Govt. to regulate actions taking place entirely in one state if that action may have ramifications on how business is in other States.]

In many ways, the outcome of the War defined the nation we are today. In many ways we still fight some of the ideaological battles presented by the opposing forces which brought on the War.

My questions to all is this: Do you ever think of the Civil War and its effects? or is it simply to distant historically for you ever to contemplate except as an occasional trivia point?

[FYI - To me, denying that slavery was the proximate cause of the War is simply wrong - but for slavery, the State's rights proponents would have reached some compromise on all other State rights' issues and probably preserved more of the federalism originally envisioned by the founders. The preservation of slavery is what drove the South to secede which in turn (along with firing on Sumter) forced the North (specifically Lincoln's) hand to resort to arms to preserve the union.]

__________________You aren't worth the water in my spit but, maybe, just maybe, you're worth the lead in my shotgun.

I kid, of course. But I think of the war all the time. Being in the deep south, there are constant reminders, such as ubiquitous Confederate flags and people who are still bitter. For example, in a letter to the newspaper editor a man not long ago complained that Yankees had better burial spots than Confederates at the Vicksburg battlefield site.

I also think that some people in the deep south, to this day, stubbornly hold on to social and religious views which are seriously outdated. Without the war, many in the south would never have caught up with the tide of history which saw the abolition of slavery. Without another war, some people in the south will never change other social and religious views which are really out-of-step. I'm not calling for another war, just lamenting the fact that some problematic things in the deep south will not change soon, if ever.

Joe, you are correct. That terrible war changed the face of the country forever.

I grew up in New England rarely did anyone talk about or discuss the Civil War but in my mid-20's I moved to South Carolina for a few years, I was shocked at how rooted/part of folks lives down there the Civil war was. A good hand full of folks hated me just becasue of my accent and that I was from up north.

__________________When life gives you paper jams, turn them into paper footballs!

I think the Civil War and the aftermath are the most fascinating period of US History. I love reading about/watching documentaries of US History, and this period in history is simply remarkable. I mean we've all lived through civil wars of other countries. The thought that that could happen and did happen here once is simply remarkable.

It's somewhat fitting I suppose that on the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, our country is being led by its first African-American President ever. In fact I heard, and not sure how true this is, that there has been some pushback/concern in some town about Obama being part of their 150th anniversary celebrations of the war.

__________________You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

I think the Civil War and the aftermath are the most fascinating period of US History. I love reading about/watching documentaries of US History, and this period in history is simply remarkable. I mean we've all lived through civil wars of other countries. The thought that that could happen and did happen here once is simply remarkable.

It's somewhat fitting I suppose that on the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, our country is being led by its first African-American President ever. In fact I heard, and not sure how true this is, that there has been some pushback/concern in some town about Obama being part of their 150th anniversary celebrations of the war.

So there were donuts and honey buns this morning at work and i asked why, someone said jokingly that its because todays the anniversy to the START of the Civil War. The thing is people do celebrate the start….. I had no idea this went on. I get celebrating the civil war over all and absolutely get celebrating the end of the war, but had no idea people actually celebrated the start to it. Crazy

So there were donuts and honey buns this morning at work and i asked why, someone said jokingly that its because todays the anniversy to the START of the Civil War. The thing is people do celebrate the start….. I had no idea this went on. I get celebrating the civil war over all and absolutely get celebrating the end of the war, but had no idea people actually celebrated the start to it. Crazy

Crazy. Though it might have been more accurate for me to say "Commemorate" not "Celebrate"

__________________You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

My great great grandfather's 2 older brothers died in the war, one in Sulfolk Va another taken prisoner at Gettysburg and died in a POW camp at Point Lookout Md. after spending time at Fort Delaware prison camp.

Most interesting time our history, and im a little of an amature buff myself. The evil of Slavery no doubt was the cause of the war, but I think if you asked the average southern soldier back then, when the yanks sent an armed invasion force cross the Mason-Dixon line, that was the reason men took up arms, and enlistment then sky-rocketed. Why did they fight, well cause there were armed men in his backyard.

You gotta tip your hat to Lincoln, most important President of all time because he did end up preserving the union.